10 Things you should not miss in Seoul
NO1: Gyeongbokgung Palace
It was in 1395, three years after the Joseon
Dynasty was founded by King Taejo (Yi Seong-gye), when the construction of the main royal palace was completed after the capital of the newly founded dynasty moved from Gaeseong to Seoul (then known as Hanyang). The palace was named Gyeongbokgung, the "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven." With Mount Bugaksan to its rear and Mount Namsan in
the foreground, the site of Gyeongbokgung Palace was at the heart of Seoul and, indeed, deemed auspicious according to the traditional practice of geomancy. In front of Gwanghwamun Gate, the main entrance to the palace, ran Yukjo-geori (Street of Six Ministries, today's Sejongno), home to major government offices. Along the central axis upon which Gwanghwamun Gate stood was the nucleus of the palace, including the throne hall, council hall and king's residence.
The government ministry district and main buildings of Gyeongbokgung Palace formed the heart of the capital city of Seoul and represented the sovereignty of the Joseon Dynasty.
NO2: Changdeokgung palace& Secret Garden
It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897). As it is located east of Gyeongbok Palace, Changdeokgung — along with Changgyeonggung — is also referred to as the "East Palace" (동궐, 東闕, Donggwol).
Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of many Joseon princes and retained many elements dating from the Three Kingdoms of Korea period that were not incorporated in the more contemporaryGyeongbokgung. One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it.
NO3: N Seoul Tower
Romantic island within the city, N SEOUL TOWER The N SEOUL TOWER, a complex culture space in Seoul, is where the clouds seem to meet with Namsan Mountain. It shows visitors the harmony of Namsan's nature, the 21st century state of the art, resting with leisure, and various cultures.
The N SEOUL TOWER, which is a symbol of Seoul now, was established at the highest point to glance at the most beautiful images of Seoul. It is also Korea’s first general radio wave tower from 1969, delivering TV and radio broadcasting in the metropolitan area. Not only does the N SEOUL TOWER have transmission antennas of KBS, MBC, SBS TV and FM but PBC, TBS, CBS, BBS FM transmission antennas are also installed. 48% of the national audio population watches broadcasting through this transmission tower.
Since the N SEOUL TOWER was opened to the general public in 1980, it has become a resting place for the citizens of Seoul as well as a touristic attraction for foreigners with the living nature of Namsan. With the latest LED technology lighting which constantly changes colors and patterns, it has become a 'light art' providing various media art together with an unusual cultural art experience. As a complex cultural space representing Seoul, the newly born N SEOUL TOWER is a proud landmark of Seoul.
NO4: Insadong antique alley
Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries and traditional restaurants, teahouses, and cafes.
The galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising artists, and Gana Art Center.
NO5: Bukchon Hanok Village
Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon, which literally translates to "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.
NO6: National Museum of Korea
The National Museum of Korea is located about 1.5 km away from Yongsan Station. It is the largest museum in Korea and houses precious Korean cultural assets that tell the story of Korea’s fascinating history, from ancient times to the modern era.
In addition to galleries with a wide array of national and international pieces, the National Museum of Korea is the stage for a number of cultural activities related to collection, preservation, research and analysis, social training, academic publications, intercultural exchange programs, concerts, and more.
NO7: Bukhansan National park
Bukhansan Mountain was officially designated as a national park in 1983. The Bukhansan National Park covers both Bukhansan and Dobongsan Mountains, and spans the total area of 80.699㎢. At the top of Bukhansan Mountain are Baegundae Terrace (836.5m), Insubong Peak (810.5m) and Mangyeongdae Terrace (799.5m), which gave the mountain the nickname "Samgaksan" or the "three-horned mountain". The mountain had other names: Sambongsan (mountain with three peaks), Hwasan (flower mountain), and Buaak (mountain shaped like a person giving a baby a piggyback ride). The current name, Bukhansan, was given as the Bukhansanseong Fortress was built under King Sukjong of Joseon Dynasty.
NO 8: Namdaemun Market
Most of the goods are made directly by the storeowners. Namdaemun Market is even open overnight, from 11:00pm to 4:00am, and is crowded with retailers from all over the country. When day breaks, the site of busy shoppers bustling around the market creates a unique scene that attracts tourists worldwide. Namdaemun Market sells a variety of clothes, glasses, kitchenware, toys, mountain gear, fishing equipment, stationery, fine arts, accessories, hats, carpets, flowers, ginseng, and imported goods.
NO 9: Gwangjang market
Gwangjang Market was the first permanent market in Korea and continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination today. The second floor of the market is filled with silk, satin, and linen bed-sheet stores, which are the largest and most famous in Seoul.
Many of the stores in the area even have their own factories supplying fabrics to the Namdaemun Market, Pyoung Hwa Market, and even to some department stores. Even though the goods are not brand-name products, the wide selection of high quality goods at inexpensive prices makes it an enjoyable shopping experience.
NO 10: Nanta Performance
'NANTA' figuratively means reckless punching as in a slugfest at a boxing match. This 'NANTA' (Cookin') is a non-verbal performance of reckless rhythms that dramatize customary Korean percussion in a strikingly comedic stage show. Since the first performance in 1997, it has created a sensation in Korea and overseas. It is played regularly in Korea, and will be the first Korean performance to air on Broadway this September. Integrating unique Korean traditional tempos with a western performance style, NANTA storms on stage into a huge kitchen where four capricious cooks are preparing a wedding banquet. While "Cookin'", they turn all kinds of kitchen items, pots, pans, dishes, knives, chopping board, water bottles, brooms and even each other, into percussion instruments. Audiences are swept by the primitive sound explosions and actions on stage.
